Before his selection at No. 4 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, it was no secret that the San Antonio Spurs had a strong preference for UConn point guard Stephon Castle. And for good reason.
At 6’2″ and with a very versatile quality, Castle was one of the top prospects in the draft. And he should especially be called upon to flourish alongside the best promising players in the NBA.
In his first season in San Antonio, soon-to-be superstar Victor Wembanyama had, quite simply, one of the greatest rookie campaigns of all time.
The stats alone are eye-popping — 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.6 blocks per game — but still don’t do justice to his overall impact.
At 7’4″ and 8’11” wingspan, Wembanyama was already the sole focus of most of San Antonio’s opponents. And that will be especially true going forward. And that should work in Castle’s favor.
With the Huskies, Castle was able to juggle roles, getting some point guard reps while also functioning as a defensive three-point stopper. He’ll likely do similar things in San Antonio, eventually transitioning into a full-time point guard role if his handling, passing and decision-making continue to evolve.
Regardless of Castle’s position on the roster, Wembanyama should take a lot of pressure off him, both offensively and defensively. It’s much easier to throw lobs with his unprecedented size. And his defensive production around the basket speaks for itself.
Castle will probably need a few more seasons to find his feet, but he should be able to become a long-term starter alongside Wembanyama.
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